Processing of Nanoparticles for Improved Photocells and Drug Delivery

Abstract

The manipulation of nanoparticles is facilitated through the use of a Langmuir-Blodgett trough constraining the nanoparticles to two dimensions and allowing their density to be controlled through the barriers of the Langmuir-Blodgett trough. A film formed in this manner can be applied to enhance a transparent conductive electrode on the photovoltaic cell. Alternatively the nanoparticles as so constrained can be given two types of functionalization, for example, of an anticancer agent and a targeting ligand.

What we claim is: 
     
         1 . A method of fabricating a photovoltaic cell using the steps of:
 (a) arranging nanoparticles in a monolayer with a controlled interparticle spacing on one surface of the photovoltaic cell; and   (b) applying a transparent conductive oxide over the monolayer to provide an electrode for the photovoltaic cell.   
     
     
         2 . A method of drug delivery using the steps of
 (a) applying a first and second functionalization to a plurality of nanoparticles;   (b) introducing the nanoparticles into a patient; and   (c) using an external radiation source to heat the nanoparticles as may accumulate in a tumor;   wherein the first functionalization is an anticancer agent for disrupting cancer cells and the second functionalization is a targeting agent for concentrating the nanoparticles in the tumor.